◆ SpookStack

and files relctive to the program be preserved in strict confidence. This is necessary in the interest of our notional security end welfare, tc preserve the confidential character and scurces of information fur- nished, and to protect Government personnel against the dissemination of unfounded or disproved allegations. It is necessary also in order to insure the fair and just disposition of loyelty cases, For these asons, and in accordence with the long- established, policy that reports rendered by the Federal Burenu of Investigetion and cther investigative agencies of the execltive brench ere to be regarded as confiden- tial, all reports, records, and files relative to the loyalty of employees or prospective employves (including reports cf such investigative agencies), shall be main- tained in confidence, end shall not be transmitted or dis- closed ao except es required in the efficient conduct of husiness At the time of issuing this directive, the President specifically referred to some of the precedents thet I have mentioned this afternoon and called particuler attention to the scund reasons of public policy requiring the miintenence of the confidential status of loyalty files. The President referred tc an cpinicn rendered by Attorney General Jackson at a time when, at the direction of President Roosevelt, he declined to furnish certzin reports of the Federnl Bureau of In- vestigation to the House Committee on Neval Affeirs, as follows: